Michael Jackson on the Minds of Doctors at the National Medical Association Convention in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS – Michael Jackson’s penchant for reconstructive facial surgery and painkiller addictions were hot topics of conversation among the assemblage of black doctors at the National Medical Association Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly. Plastic surgeons stated that necessary plastic surgery positively impacts patients’ lives, but that it should always be undertaken with care and careful consideration. –terry shropshire

Earl Stephenson, plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Loganville, Ga., suburb of Atlanta: “I have a lot of patients that come in and talk to me about [Michael Jackson], especially his nose, his face, [and that] he’s gone too far. Patients can actually try to prompt you to do things that you’re not comfortable with. You have to guide the patient when things are appropriate and inappropriate. And I think that’s what was lacking in the case of Michael Jackson. They don’t have the resolve or the wherewithal to say ‘hey, I don’t think that’s a good idea. We should stop at this point.’ And instead of making things better, they made things worse.”

Mark Grevious, President/CEO, Health and Renewal Plastic Surgery Associates, Chicago: “When patients go to other countries from America to have plastic surgery, it’s called ‘Medical Tourism.’ And with medical tourism, patients usually identify on the internet where they want to [go] for a particular procedure. Sometimes it’s South America, Dominican Republic, [and] sometimes it’s Costa Rica. There are problems that occur, because the surgical procedure is probably the easy part. The most difficult part is the pre-operative — the evaluation as well as the follow-up. When you go to other countries, there’s not great follow up. If you have a complication you can’t just get back on a plane and fly to the place to be seen post-operatively.”

Eve Higginbotham, Dean and Senior Vice President, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta: “As we think about Michael Jackson … you go through the challenges of life, there are ways to go through them and not require … substances and prescription drugs. We all have to learn to use our non-prescriptive support systems, like friends, family [and] church. The other thing is to not to be isolated. [Jackson’s] family tried to help him and he rejected it. So listen to your family, the ones who love you, because they have your best interest at heart.”